Vietnam veteran will be Memorial Day speaker

TUSCALOOSA | A highly decorated Vietnam veteran will be the keynote speaker during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

By Ken RobertsCity Editor

TUSCALOOSA | A highly decorated Vietnam veteran will be the keynote speaker during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center.James M. Burch, who earned the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart medal during his 22 years in the Marines, will speak at the ceremony, which will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at the sports atrium in Building 137 at the center, 3701 Loop Road.The ceremony is open to the public and will include the posting and retiring of the colors by the Paul W. Bryant High School JROTC, along with the placing of a memorial wreath by representatives of veterans’ service organizations. Burch, who grew up in Greene County, is past commander of Chapter 2211, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and first commandant of the Mike Spann Detachment of the Marine Corps League in Tuscaloosa.He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1962.After graduating from Livingston State University, he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Officer of Marines in 1964.In 1965-66, during his first combat tour of duty, he served as an infantry platoon leader and company commander in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Silver Star, the third highest military decoration for valor. The medal is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.In 1969, he returned to Vietnam as an adviser to Republic of Vietnam forces. He earned the Bronze Star, which is awarded for acts of heroism, acts of merit, or meritorious service in a combat zone, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action.His Bronze Star and Navy Achievement Medal also include the combat “V” symbolizing his exposure to personal hazard during direct participation in combat operations.Burch retired from the Marine Corps in 1984.He and his wife, Jean, live in Tuscaloosa.